7th Engineer Support Battalion

Mission statement

Provide general engineering support of an expeditionary nature to the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), to include mobility, counter mobility and survivability enhancements, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), and general supply support to include the handling, storage and distribution of bulk water and fuel.

Current units

History

Activated on 29 September 1950, aboard Camp Pendleton, 7th Engineer Battalion was rapidly built up with equipment and troops for deployment to the Korean Conflict. Activated companies included Headquarters, Service, A, B, C, D, with a Fixed Bridge Platoon and Floating Bridge Platoon attached. Deployment orders were never signed and deployment to Korea was not executed. With all its new equipment, 7th Engineer Battalion became the training command for all engineers headed overseas to 1st Engineer Battalion in Korea. From 1951-1954 the battalion also completed various engineering projects aboard Camp Pendleton and constructed cold weather training facilities in the San Jacinto and Sierra Mountains. 7th Engineer Battalion was attached to the 1st Marine Division in October 1955. In the same year, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Platoon was attached to the battalion and was mainly used for clearing ranges. In 1956, the battalion conducted a rigorous training cycle focusing on ambushes, construction and bridging. The battalion demonstrated its bridging capabilities when the Santa Margarita River flooded in 1957. An unprecedented, 339 feet of M-6 bridging were used to span the swollen river which, at that time, was the longest M-6 Bridge ever erected. That same year, the battalion increased the size of the Fixed Bridge Platoon to a company and the Floating Bridge Platoon was redesignated to 1st Bridge Platoon together creating a new Bridge Company. In 1962, Company B was embarked aboard ship in support of the Cuban Missile Crisis Response. On 1 June 1965, Company A attached to Regimental Landing Team-7 and embarked ship headed for the Republic of Vietnam. In August 1965, 7th Engineer Battalion was ordered to embark and depart for service in Vietnam, arriving in Da Nang on 24 August 1965. From Da Nang, the battalion supported the III Marine Amphibious Force (MAF) throughout the I Corps Tactical Zone. During the following year the battalion constructed an M-4 aluminum pontoon bridge spanning 1,478 feet over the Da Nang River, the longest ever built. Many of the battalion’s missions in 1967 included the construction of non-standard bridges, M-4 aluminum pontoon bridges, and pile bent bridges as well as the maintenance and upgrading of over 120 km of roads. In 1968, Company A constructed a coffer dam while Company D participated in Operation MAMELUKE THRUST. Service Company provided over 33 million gallons of fresh water to the Marines of III MAF. Throughout 1969 and 1970 the battalion continued upgrading and maintaining roads, mine sweeping and providing general engineer support until it returned to Camp Pendleton in September 1970. During April 1971, the battalion was reassigned to the 1st Marine Division and in June Company A detached from the battalion and was relocated to 29 Palms, California. In March 1976, 7th Engineers was redesignated as 7th Engineer Support Battalion (7th ESB) and was reassigned to the newly formed 1st Force Service Support Group (1st FSSG). 1st Bulk Fuel Company was transferred from Supply Battalion at this time. From 1977 to 1979 the battalion participated in several exercises including VARSITY EAGLE, OPPORTUNE LIFT, and VARSITY CLEANEX on Camp Pendleton, Twentynine Palms, San Clemente Island, and Barstow, California. Members of the battalion also participated in Operation KERNEL POTLATCH, a joint US-Canadian fleet landing exercise. 7th Bulk Fuel Company was activated in April 1983 followed by the activation of Bridge Company in July of the same year bringing the battalion up to two bridge and two bulk fuel companies. For the next two years Companies A, B, and C, conducted horizontal construction, building roads, earthwork for runways, and replacing AM-2 matting throughout all Marine Corps installations across the western United States. Bulk Fuel Company trained on fire fighting and the Amphibious Assault Fuel System (AAFS). Bridge Company continued increasing proficiency in constructing Medium Girder Bridges (MGB) and M4T6 rafts in the Del Mar Boat Basin. On 20 December 1990, 7th ESB deployed in force to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD and was transferred under operational control to Direct Support Command. Operation DESERT STORM began on 23 February 1991 and 7th ESB participated in all aspects of the offensive operations. The battalion returned home to Camp Pendleton by 24 April 1991. 7th ESB deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia on 15 December 1992 in support of Operation RESTORE HOPE. From 15 December 1992 to 25 January 1993, EOD Company assisted in over 300 calls for support recovering and disposing of over 350,000 pounds of ordnance and over two million rounds of ammunition. Bulk Fuel Company employed and operated five AAFS and a Tactical Airfield Fuel Dispensing System (TAFDS) which serviced over 26 different nations during the operation. The battalion’s utilities section purified and provided over three million gallons of water to the multinational contingent. In January 1993, while the battalion was deployed to Somalia, the Santa Margarita River flooded, which severely damaged Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Camp Pendleton. The Marines of 7th ESB, purified drinking water, rebuilt eight miles of roads and rebuilt the levee that separates the MCAS and the Santa Margarita River. 30 December 1994, Bridge Company was deactivated and its personnel and equipment redistributed throughout the battalion. In March 1995, Company A reactivated and constructed the Combat Skills Training Facility at Camp Deluz. During 1996, EOD techs provided range sweeps at multiple Marine Corps and Air Force installation across the southwestern U.S. Additionally, EOD also supported the U.S. Secret Service in Los Angeles and San Diego. February 1996, Company C deployed to the U.S. Army’s National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California where it acted as a ‘Soviet Engineer Battalion’ as opposition force against U.S. Army units. During the fall of 1996, and per the Commandants Guidance, 7th ESB was tasked with constructing the obstacles courses, assault courses, and warrior stations for the Crucible, at Edson Range. Company B deployed to Annette Island in Southeast Alaska in support of Operation ALASKAN ROAD in August 1997. During the three month joint civil-military operation, Company B assisted with the construction of over 14.7 miles of paved roads, the improvement of 10 miles of unimproved roads, and the construction of a 300-man base camp. In July 2000, Company C deployed to the Kingdom of Tonga constructing a music/library/administrative facility for the Tailulu College. The Marines of Company C were the first Marine Corps Engineers to execute construction in the Kingdom of Tonga. During the first portion of 2001, 7th ESB deployed personnel in support of a US Department of State-sponsored Humanitarian Demining Training Program in Djibouti, Africa. During the second half of 2001, Company B deployed to Egypt with Brigade Service Support Group (BSSG)-1 while participating in Exercise BRIGHT STAR-01 where they built and maintained a base camp for 3500 Marines. After the attacks on September 11, 7 ESB attached engineers to MEU Service Support Group (MSSG)-15, 15th MEU, Task Force-58. The Marines were among the first American forces to enter Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) as they helped establish Camp Rhino providing water purification, electricity, heavy equipment, security and EOD support. In April 2002, Company A participated in DESERT SCIMITAR-02. Bridge platoon constructed a 457-foot continuous-span ribbon bridge over the rapidly flowing Colorado River. The bridge crossed over nearly 1,700 Marines, and over 500 tactical vehicles. On 28 January 2003, the battalion deployed to Camp Coyote, Kuwait in preparation for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF). On 20 March, Company B and Company C, breached lanes through the Iraqi border obstacle belt providing entry for Task Force Tarawa and Regimental Combat Team (RCT)-7. 7th ESB supported the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) through all facets of engineering during the push to Baghdad before redeploying to Kuwait on 16 May 2003. The battalion returned to Iraq in February 2004 with elements of Headquarters and Service (H&S) Company, Company A, Support Company, Bulk Fuel Company and EOD Company and assumed the role as Combat Service Support Battalion (CSSB)-1. The bulk of the battalion operated out of Camp Fallujah supporting Regimental RCT-1 and other units in the Al Anbar Province. CSSB-1 participated in Operation VIGILANT RESOLVE by establishing tactical control points (TCP’s) around Fallujah, isolating the city in preparation for offensive operations of RCT-1. By the end of September 2004, 7th ESB conducted a relief in place (RIP) with Company C replacing Company A, while H&S, Bulk Fuel and EOD Companies remained in Iraqi, only rotating personnel from Camp Pendleton. The battalion, minus a few detachments had redeployed back to Camp Pendleton by March 2005. Contingents of 7th ESB companies formed Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB)-5 and deployed to Fallujah, Iraq in early 2006. During the deployment, the battalion provided engineer support throughout the Al Anbar Province. The battalion redeployed to Camp Pendleton in September 2006 while Company A conducted a RIP with Company C. In October 2006, Company B was stood up and was assigned the bridging mission for the battalion. Company A redeployed to Camp Pendleton in March 2007. In August 2007, EOD Company and Company B deployed personnel to Iraq in support of OIF 6-8.2. The battalion deployed to Fallujah, Iraq in February 2008 in support of OIF 6-8.1 and returned in September 2008. Support Company and Company A attached Marines to CLB-7 to deploy in support of OIF 9.1. EOD Company continued to support the global war on terror as they deployed personnel to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Company B attached to CLB-1 and deployed to Afghanistan in support of OEF 9.2 in June 2009. In October 2009, 7th ESB completed it pre-deployment block leave and deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. During its deployment, the battalion provided engineering support throughout Helmand Province. The battalion stood up Combat Logistics Company-7 in order to support 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines and Operation MOSHTARAK during the clear and hold phase into Marjeh, Afghanistan. In May 2010, the battalion completed its RIP with 9th ESB and redeployed to Camp Pendleton. During May 2011, 7th ESB deployed and conducted a relief in place with 8th ESB in Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan for OEF 11.2. Throughout the deployment the battalion provided mobility by conducting route clearance for International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF). Bridge platoon greatly enhanced mobility throughout the area of operation (AO) by emplacing Medium Girder Bridges (MGB) and building non-standard bridges over wadi’s and irrigation canals. The battalion redeployed to Camp Pendleton on 14 December 2011. In 2012, the battalion supported construction projects across Southern California. Company C completed a road project in Imperial Beach, California for Joint Task Force-North and the Border Patrol. Companies A, B, C constructed K-Span structures at Camp Wilson, MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms.

Awards

*   Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with three Bronze Stars: Vietnam 1966-1967 1967-1968 Iraq 2003 Afghanistan 2009-2010 (MARADMIN 615/12)

*   Joint Meritorious Unit Citation Streamer: Somalia 1992-1993 (MCBUL 1650)

*   Navy Unit CommendationStreamer with two Bronze Stars: Southwest Asia 1990-1991 1993-1994 Iraq 2004-2005 (MARADMIN 056/12)

*   Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer with two Bronze Stars: Vietnam 1969-1970 1984-1986 1996-1997

*   National Defense Service Medal Streamer with three Bronze Stars

*   Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Streamer

*   Vietnam Service Medal Streamer with two Silver and three Bronze Stars

*   Southwest Asia Service Medal Streamer with two Bronze Stars

*   Iraqi Campaign Medal Streamer with two Bronze Stars

*   Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Streamer

*   Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Streamer

*   Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer

*   Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Streamer

Lineage

1950-2012—Activated 29 September 1950 at Camp Pendleton, California as the 7th Engineer Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, assigned 25 OCTOBER 1955 to the 1ST Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, deployed during August 1965 1965 to Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam participated in Vietnam War, August 1965 – AUGUST 1970, operating from Da Nang. Relocated during August–September 1971 to Camp Pendleton, California, and reassigned to the 5th Amphibious Brigade, Fleet Marine Force. Reassigned during April 1971 to the 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force. Redesignated 30 March 1975 as the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, and reassigned to the 1st Force Service Support Group (FSSG), Fleet Marine Force. Participated in Operation Desert Shied and Operation Desert Storm, Southwest Asia, December 1990-March 1991. Participated in Operation Restore Hope, Somalia, December 1992-January 1993. Element participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, November 2001-January 2002 Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, March 2003-May 2003, February 2006-September 2006, February 2008-September 2008. Elements participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, March 2004-March 2005. Participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, October 2009-May 2010. May 2011-December 2011

Current Commanding Officer's Biography (May 2015)

http://media.dma.mil/2014/Jul/08/2000805335/600/400/0/140708-M-YG378-751.JPG Lieutenant Colonel Eric J. Penrod was born and raised in Windber, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in May 1997 through the PLC program.

After completing The Basic School and the Basic Engineer Officers Course, Second Lieutenant Penrod served at 8th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB) in Camp Lejeune, NC, from 1998 to 2001. At 8th ESB he deployed to Central America for hurricane relief operations, to West Texas to conduct a Military Support to Law Enforcement Agency (MSCLEA) road improvement project for Joint Task Force – 6 (JTF-6) along the US/Mexico border, and twice to the Mediterranean Region with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Service Support Group (MSSG) as the MSSG Engineer and then the MSSG S-4.

From Camp Lejeune, Captain Penrod transferred to Marine Corps Security Force Training Company, Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, in Chesapeake, VA, where he held the billet of Operations Officer from 2002 to 2004.

Following a student assignment at the U.S. Army’s Engineer Captain’s Career Course (ECCC) at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Captain Penrod transferred to 2d Combat Engineer Battalion (CEB), 2d Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, NC. During his 2005 to 2008 tour at 2d CEB, he deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF); once as an Engineer Company Commander in support of Regimental Combat Team-8 and once as an individual-augment staff officer in the Multinational Force-West (MNF-W) G3 Counter-IED section.

Major Penrod went on to school at the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College (CGSC) in Fort Leavenworth, KS. He was then assigned to NORAD / USNORTHCOM in Colorado Springs, CO from 2009 to 2012 where he served as the USMC engineer officer within the Directorate of Logistics and Engineering (J4).

In July 2012, Major Penrod was transferred to the Engineer Advocacy Branch (LPE) under the Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics (DC, I&L), Headquarters U. S. Marine Corps, to serve as the USMC Engineer Occupational Field Sponsor and Engineer Advocacy Section Head.

LtCol Penrod assumed command of 7th Engineer Support Battalion aboard Camp Pendleton, CA in July 2014.

LtCol Penrod is a graduate of the United States Army's Engineer Captains Career Course and the United States Army's Command and General Staff College. He attained a Master of Arts degree in Business and Organization Security Management from Webster University while at the Command and General Staff College.

LtCol Penrod is married to the former Cheryl Tallyen of Windber, PA.

LtCol Penrod’s personal decorations include the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (3rd Award, with Combat Distinguishing Device), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.